Stability studies on admixtures of 5-fluorouracil with carboplatin and 5-fluorouracil with heparin for administration in continuous infusion regimens.

The therapeutic index of several anticancer agents may be improved by replacing rapid infusion/bolus injection schedules with prolonged continuous infusion regimens. Admixtures of 5-fluorouracil (5FU) with carboplatin and 5FU with heparin were subjected to stability studies to establish the feasibility of administering these infusions on an in-patient and out-patient basis, respectively. In the first study the stability of carboplatin was determined in an admixture of carboplatin and 5FU for neoadjuvant treatment of in-patients with oesophageal carcinoma by 5-day infusion. A previous study had reported significant carboplatin degradation in 5FU/carboplatin admixtures. Our results were consistent with this study and demonstrated that under ward conditions (25 degrees C) carboplatin also degraded (16% in 24 h) in dilute admixtures with 5FU. However, the addition of a citric acid buffer, which reduced infusion pH from 8.65 to 6.5, increased the stability of carboplatin (4.8% degradation in 24 h), without compromising 5FU solubility or stability. In a second study, the stability of an infusion containing 5FU and heparin was determined. Prolonged continuous infusion is routinely used for adjuvant treatment of colorectal carcinoma but episodes of thromboses and occlusion of the central venous catheter have been associated with this treatment.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Biotechnology and the developing world. Finding ways to bridge the agricultural technology gap.

PIP: Biotechnology is a controversial subject that involves a range of scientific principles from basic tissue culture to genetic manipulation. Proponents include private sector capitalists, public sector researchers, and developing nation governments. Opponents include environmental organizations and social organizations involved in protecting the rights of developing nations. Biotechnology is being presented as the next step after the Green Revolution and the only way that the people of the developing world will be able to feed themselves in the next half century. Research by industrialized nations world wide total an estimated $11 billion with 66% being contributed by the private sector. Biotechnology represents somewhat of a dilemma. Since the majority of the work is being done by the private sector the interests of shareholders and profit are greater done by the private sector the interests of shareholders and profit are greater than that of public welfare or safety. The Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) is one public sector group that is concerned about this problem. The countries of the developing world fall into 2 categories in relation to use of biotechnology: (1) those that have the potential to adapt imported biotechnologies to local conditions; (2) those that have little or no applied research capacity to effectively use biotechnologies. Currently only Brazil, China, India, and Thailand belong in the 1st category, all other developing countries fall into the 2nd. CGIAR believes it can help in 2 ways: (1) it can provide a bridge for needed information and germplasm between developed and developing countries; (2) it can help to ensure that the agricultural needs of developing countries are not lost. In 1990 CGIAR's plant and animal biotechnology research totaled $14.5 million which was less than 5% of the total CGIAR budget. Networking and institutions building are areas that CGIAR focuses on in an attempt to increase its affect. Looking ahead the 2 major issue of biotechnology that still have to be worked out are biosafety and intellectual property management.^ieng